Some owners of the 2019 Chevrolet Silverado and 2019 GMC Sierra are complaining about a peculiar issue that occurs when installing a popular aftermarket component. Specifically, the innovative Rear Camera Mirror offered on both of the new GM trucks gets blocked when installing an aftermarket bed cap, thereby rendering the Rear Camera Mirror useless.
The issue stems from the fact that the front-most portion of an aftermarket bed cap fitted onto high-end versions of the GM trucks blocks the lens for the Rear Camera Mirror, thereby rendering the feature useless. The lens for the Rear Camera Mirror is placed on the rear-most part of the cab’s roof where the truck’s cargo lamp and CHMSL are located. What’s more, the feature is driven by a separate lens than the traditional back-up camera.
For those not aware, the Rear Camera Mirror improves on the traditional rearview mirror by streaming a live video feed of what’s behind the vehicle to a high-definition display in the rear-view mirror, thereby removing from view obstructions such as pillars, headrests, rear window glass or rear-seat passengers.
If at any given point in time, a driver desires a traditional mirror, he or she can simply “push” the mirror stem, disabling the Rear Camera Mirror functionality and transforms the mirror into a traditional rear-view mirror. The Rear Camera Mirror is available on the Silverado LTZ and High Country as well as the Sierra AT4 and Denali as part of the optional Technology Package.
GM Authority has received several letters from owners of the new GM trucks who have put caps on their beds. These owners have claimed that they would gladly pay for the hardware and service work to relocate the lens for the Rear Camera Mirror. GM could theoretically capitalize on this opportunity and offer a kit and an associated service guide for technicians to reposition the Rear Camera Mirror lens to another spot on the pickup truck, potentially next to the back-up camera lens, located on the tailgate handle.
Whether such a solution is even feasible is a whole different matter entirely. In fact, repositioning the Rear Camera Mirror to the tailgate handle would render the Rear Camera Mirror almost useless during towing, since a trailer would block most of the viewpoint of the camera.
Nevertheless, a potential relocation solution would not only allow GM trucks to continue offering the only available Rear Camera Mirror in the segment, but it would also become the first automaker to solve the rear visibility issues normally associated with installing bed caps on pickup trucks. Here’s to hoping GM’s team of engineers will find a solution sooner or later.
Have thoughts on the matter? Sound off in the comments, and be sure to subscribe to GM Authority for more Chevrolet Silverado news, Chevrolet news and, GMC Sierra news, GMC news, and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
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View Comments
Isn't a traditional rear view mirror pretty much useless when you put on a bed cap?
GM could sell a thin flexible "strap" that sits on top the the cap via a magnetic strip on the bottom. Think of something as thin a ribbon cable with something like a refrigerator magnet on the bottom so it stays flush and out of sight nor move around.
(if y'all couldn't tell; I'm bad at descriptions).
One end of the cable would plug into the existing camera, and the other would have a camera on the end that sticks to the top center of the cap.
I plan on purchasing a new truck this year and would really like a cap on my new truck and like the rear vision camera functional. I would think a small module that could be placed on the top of the rear middle of the cap could be a solution. It would probably require a hole Drilled through the top to get power and camera cable installed. On the truck side a connector, maybe behind one of the tail lights with access from the bed could be a solution. Or maybe a wireless option so all that is needed is power to the camera? I’m sure a creative GM accessories engineer could figure this out easily. I currently use a wireless camera to see behind my 30 ft trailer that works well, so relocating should not be that difficult of a problem.
Most caps have a CHMSL assembly at the back. Could the camera be located there and then just run extension wires from the current location?
This is the obviously the best location.
This sounds more like a cap issue than GM issue.
The cap companies should install a brake light and camera combo in the cap as an option then make it so it can be tapped into the light and camera on the cab.
Might note that in most first and snow conditions the camera if installed on the tailgate may be unusable with dirt or snow covering it. The way th3 aero works it usually makes the tail gates covered in dirt and snow.
If it is higher up on the cap the air would help keep it clean if the cap company designs it right.
Highly popular? Yeah, I don't see too many people running around with these. Less than 5 percent of owners is my guess. Don't think it's enough of a problem for gm to care.
Yeah, toppers used to be very popular 20-30 years ago. About the only time I see one in use is by an eighty year old man. Most guys that want a covering for their bed have went to the kind that roll up or fold back.
Why would anyone down vote this? It's true.
Because I can
Maybe it's because 80 yr old men know that the correct verb is: have "gone" to the kind...
Don’t know where you live but in the northern tier of the US, winter and being able to carry larger loads makes having a truck cap very desirable. I hate having to dig all the snow out of the box to carry items or everything getting wet or full of snow when you have something larger to carry in the winter. Bed covers are too restrictive of their use.
I also have dogs. My dogs wouldn’t like being under a bed cover. Would you?
Lol! Are people really this dumb? I install an aftermarket piece but because I do zero research or critical thinking about how it will affect my vehicle and its systems, it's not my fault and I need to complain to the world?
I’m sorry but if you want to put a pap cap on your new truck they should not complain that the new features don’t work with 30 year old cap tech
I've been a builder for 30 years. I've had caps on all my trucks over the years and pulled trailers most of the time. The problem is to many people are buying trucks that don't need them and can't drive them without technology helping them. Learn how to drive to your truck like a real truck driver use your side mirrors. Technology is great but don't complain if it doesn't work because you altered it's ability to work. Cameras are making people forget how to drive.
Obviously the feature is not for truck caps. I think it’s time we give GM a thumbs up for their trucks. As far as I’m concerned you won’t find a better truck. This is so minor. LOL
If I put a piece of cardboard over the windshield I can't see out. GM needs to fix this problem.
If someone installs an aftermarket product that interferes with the factory hardware, how is that GMs problem?